Abstract: Tarim basin is the biggest superimposed composite petroliferous one in inland China.According to the characteristics of structure and sedimentation of Tarim basin, it can be divided into three assemblages i.e.pre-Sinian basement structure-stratigraphy, Sinian-Lower Permian marine craton basin structure-stratigraphy, and Upper Permian-Middle Cenozoic foreland basin structure-stratigraphy.Pre-Sinian basement features are different in northern and southern Tarim basin.The former consists of slightly metamorphic rock of Middle-Upper Proterozoic, while the latter is composed of mixed gneiss and granulite of pre-Sinian.Such difference causes the difference in structure-stratigraphy assemblage in caprock.Sinian-Early Permian is developing period of marine craton basin.The plate rifted in Sinian to form Kuluketage-Maggar aulacogen.In Early Cambrian to Ordovician and Carboniferous, two major transgressions occurred and hydrocarbon-enriched carbonate formation deposited.Late Permian to Mesozoic and Cenozoic is developing period of foreland basin, late Hercynian movement made southern Tianshan Mts uplift entirely to form Kuqa foreland basin in which mega-thick coal-bearing clastic formation were formed.

Key words: Tarim basin, Structure, Formation, Assemblage, Characteristics, Petroliferous basin